Hey girls, so today my manager (male) pulled me in to the office. He explained that management had noticed my frequent trips to the ladies toilets and me taking 5 minutes to have a snack break. He said it was getting in the way of my work and that because I’m entitled to a lunch break (1 hr, unpaid) I was taking the biscuit. I explained in my risk assessment and in the HR handbooks nothing is mentioned about this and this is irrelevant as I am a pregnant woman and needing the toilet is very normal and a basic human right. Has anyone else experienced this or is he picking faults because he doesn’t know any better?

It’s appalling how you were called to speak to management regarding your frequent toilet breaks , I would definitely carry out seeing citizens advice as woman said above and meet with HR and if you can take someone in to witness it too . Obviously HR no that’s not right as it’s discrimination! Hope all goes well lovely xx

Just read this to my partner as I thought it was pretty horrible, and he asked what kind of work you do and whether the toilet breaks and extra snack break are in your risk assessment? Because if they are then your manager is out of line. If not then you should ask for it to be put in. Going to the toilet is a basic human right and they can't discriminate against you because you need to go more often than other people, and they have a responsibility to make reasonable adjustments for you. However, those adjustments must be practicable for the employer as well, so if it's impacting on their business outputs and they can't make an adjustment that suits both of you and reduces the risk, then they have the right to find you alternative work or suspend you on full pay.

It’s very clear in my risk assessment that I am entitled to toilet/water/snack breaks I think he needs to read through it himself to understand what I can and can’t do. I’m just seething at the thought of seeing him tomorrow at work. 😐

Yes I bet you are. He clearly doesn’t understand your rights does he have children himself? My boss is a man but very understanding as he has a wife and child. Who did your risk assessment? It should be shared with him at least. Also he should realise if your stressed about this you could be off work with it and there’s also nothing he can do. My boss was very careful to not stress me out because of this.

This is ridiculous and to be quite frank discriminatory behaviour. Your boss is wrong. You should make a note of the conversation (and any others). Have you had a pregnancy risk assessment carried out at work? If not you should request one. Just ask either your boss or HR (nicely) when it will be done. Mine specifically mentioned increased toilet trips as something that may need to be accommodated. Also, snacks are important particularly if you are feeling ill or just more hungry since you are growing a human!

If your bosses behaviour continues you may need to speak to HR and potentially raise a grievance. If it gets to this stage it would be helpful to have a written record of any conversations or comments your boss has made which are related to your pregnancy.